the journal

Well, I’m a little late in sharing my goals for the year, but January was crazy for me. I was able to think about and figure out my goals but I had zero energy to sit down and write a blog post. … I’ve had some major (to me) health issues and it’s been exhausting and trying. …But as rough as it’s been, it’s also been eye opening and has helped me see some areas I really need to work on. So, here are a few of my goals for this year! These first 2 are very intense and personal to me and the last one is a MAJOR change for my business that I am SO excited about! … Don’t you even think about jumping ahead, because it’s supposed to be a surprise! haha!

~ BE STILL ~ I realized recently that I’ve always been a doer. I like to be busy and just get things done. … I went to visit my brother in December before he passed away and it was hard trip for me. … I wanted so badly just to help in any way I could. I want to do everything for them … but there just wasn’t much to do. And it was hard. … I show up for people by DOING. And I couldn’t do that this time, I just had to BE. I had to be present and calm and there. … And then having these health issues the past month, I haven’t been able to do much of anything. I’ve had to slow WAY down and just be still. … And it’s HARD. … But, I think that if I allow myself to slow down and be still, I will find peace and joy that I haven’t ever had before. … So, that’s my focus this year. To BE STILL! And most of you that know me, know that it will be hard for me. So, please remind me often and help me through it!

~ EMBRACE IMPERFECTION ~ I’ve been a perfectionist as long as I can remember. I like to have things neat and organized and just right. But the more life throws at me, the more I realize that my perfection is creating anxiety and un-met expectations. I’ve worked really hard the past couple years to not be a perfectionist, but it’s hard to change a habit that you’ve had your whole life. In 2019 I read ‘Daring Greatly’ by Brene Brown and in that book she says, ‘Done is better than perfect’. And let me tell you, that has been a mantra of mine since. … But it’s way harder done then said. And I think that I’ve just been SO frustrated with my own need to be perfect that every time I say that to myself (in my head) I have to take a deep breath and a step back. But then I’m still frustrated because I still want whatever I’m doing to be perfect! … I bought a sign for my living room that says, ‘Beautiful things are never perfect’. And I think I’m slowly realizing that imperfection is beautiful. It’s divine actually. …There’s NO way I could ever be perfect without a loving Savior who makes up for ALL my imperfection. And that is beautiful. So, for me, it’s time to embrace my flaws, to embrace my weaknesses and to own up to what makes me who I am, perfect or not.

~ START WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING ~ Here’s my big news!!!! AH!!!!! I have ALWAYS loved planning things! I love organizing and putting things together. And I love seeing a vision in my head come to life! I guess my love of planning came to me when I planned my own wedding in 2014. I did all the planning by myself, decorated myself and I even made my own wedding cake (which I will not do again, haha). And then I started having kids and was able to plan all their birthdays and events! I love thinking of or finding a theme and just seeing it all come together! I will say, I sometimes go a little overboard, but it’s just SO FUN! Then in 2019 my best friend got married and she asked me to help with planning and I just ran with it! It was amazing to see their vision of what they wanted come together for their wedding and to just make their day as stress-free as possible for them. .. We all know that I already love weddings. Photographing weddings has been a HUGE highlight for me and I absolutely LOVE being able to capture emotions and excitement on wedding days. And don’t worry, I will still be photographing weddings! But now I’m just adding planning as well! I would LOVE to see your vision through from start to finish and I can’t wait to get started!!!! Keep following for more updates as I officially add planning into what I’m offering. In the meantime, if you or someone you know needs help planning ANYTHING, let me know!